The Shadows | Astarion

~ 1 ~

Aelia's eyes glanced at the clock quickly, and noticed that sundown would arrive soon. She looked back at the table and worked quicker.

As a practicing healer, she worked at the Baldur's Gate City Healer's Sanctuary, where many went to receive help and care. She grinded the herbs faster and had soon finished the salve she was making.

She looked out the window and saw that it had dimmed outside, and Aelia put everything away in her work bench. Bidding goodbye to other healers, she rushed out the door and onto the busy street.

She tugged her cloak around her tighter as she made her way home, hurrying through the crowds and avoiding most people.

As she continued her walk, the streets became emptier and dimmer, and she swallowed as she quickened her pace.

Aelia made the mistake of looking down a dark alleyway, and her back straightened.

Something, or someone, was looking back at her.

She couldn't move. Couldn't react.

Red eyes glinted in the darkness, and she could finally move. As her heart raced, she paced away from the alley and continued her journey home, feeling eyes on her back.

The feeling of being watched still hadn't fully shaken off when she finally arrived at her home. Aelia unlocked the door and rushed in, slamming it as she closed it, then locked it.

Breathing out shakily, she filled the house with light, igniting the fireplace, and lighting every candle. Until there was no darkness in the room.

Feeling herself relax, she finally let herself breathe properly. She looked around the small but lavish room, the floor decorated with carpets, and comfy sofas beside the fireplace.

The bookshelf was filled with healing tomes, some rather old. And most surfaces had salves or potions on it, as she often worked on her skills there.

She peered out the window and saw it had grown even more dark outside. She shivered when she felt that she was being watched again, and quickly closed the dark green drapes.

Aelia stepped back and looked around the room, seeing the leftover stew she made a few days ago. But she chewed her lip and shook her head at herself, leaving the pot as she stepped into her bedroom.

She ignited each candle instantly, and changed into her nightclothes; just a long, black shirt. Hanging up her cloak, she caught her reflection in the mirror.

She was of average height, on the smaller side though, and unnaturally skinny. Her eyes a light hue of purple, her hair as dark as a raven. People would look at her and think she was beautiful. But she looked tired, exhausted.

Aelia looked away from the mirror and sighed, making her way towards her bed. She then settled under the covers, looking at the candles.

Slipping into a deep meditation, she closed her eyes.

                                    *

Darkness surrounded her.

Aelia jolted up and looked wildly around her, "No, no, no!" She cried, and ignited the candles again.

The room lit up and the elf's eyes were terrified as she observed the room, which was empty.

She curled into a ball and tried to control her breathing, knowing that she would have no more rest tonight, for fear that the darkness would claim her again.